Pest Control

Zika can be described as a mosquito-transmitted virus that is spread to humans by being bitten by (See Picture) Aedes aegypti (left) and Aedes albopictus (right). The Zika Virus became a major problem in the Americas in 2015, due to the outbreak in Brazil. Although the Zika Virus is widely spread by mosquitoes, it can also be transmitted sexually by humans.

Zika carrying Mosquitoes VS Non-carrying Zika Mosquitoes

There are some differences between mosquitoes that carry the Zika Virus, and those who do not. Mosquitoes that do carry Zika, bite during the day-time. They also lay their eggs in smaller bodies of water, such as containers. Mosquitoes that do not carry Zika, generally bite after sundown. They lay their eggs in larger bodies of waters.

Similarities between these two mosquitoes include:

Life Cycle; The mosquitoes both undergo the same changes and stages of life. The female life cycle lasts 42-56 days, while the male’s lasts about 10 days

Feeding; Male mosquitoes feed on nectar, while females feed off of blood.

Knowing if You have Zika

No cases of the Zika Virus has been contracted in Florida. People that reside in Florida that have the Zika Virus had the virus transmitted to them whilst out of state/country. Most people with Zika won’t exhibit any symptoms of having the Zika Virus. Symptoms of Zika are very similar to symptoms of the common flu. To test to see if you have Zika, a blood or urine sample is required. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Zika, or cure for having Zika. Once contracting Zika, the virus remains in your blood stream for about a week, but some may have it for longer.

At Sandpiper we like to keep up with the latest news and helpful information about pests with more than two legs. The Zika virus is on everyone’s mind. With the warmer weather settling in for the next 4 months or so, people need to be cautious. [Read more…]

In the summer of 2010 there was a major insurgence of bed bugs in major U.S.Cities like New York, Chicago and Philadelphia. Not only did they infest some well-known hotel chains, they were also infiltrating movie theaters, office and department stores.

History shows that bed bugs, like some of our other pests with more than two legs, have been around since as far back as 77 A.D. There are various poisons that have been used against these peskiest of pests, but many of them have now been banned because of the severe side effects they have on humans.

Bed bugs do bite, but so far we have not found any evidence that bed bugs transmit diseases, or cause any illnesses in people. Disease or not, I don’t know of anyone who would relish the experience of bugs crawling on and biting them while they are trying to sleep..

Since the resurgence of bed bugs in 2010 the bug research community has been once again studying these pests. While I can’t report anything of great significance, I was amused to see a report of CNN about what colors are pleasing to bed bugs. They even said, if you carry luggage which is red or black, you would be less likely to have bed bugs as an unwanted guest in your luggage.

“Researchers placed bedbugs in Petri dishes that contained little bug-sized tents made of different colored paper. The bugs quickly crawled to the shelter, just as you would expect for insects that spend 90% of their lives hiding in cracks and crevices. But when given the chance, they gravitated toward the tents that were black and red instead of the white, yellow or green shelters.

“We joked that we are all going to buy bright yellow luggage bags because the bedbugs seem not to prefer them, or not to prefer laying eggs on them,” said Roberto Pereira, an urban entomology research scientist at the University of Florida. Pereira was part of the team that carried out the research, which was published Monday in the Journal of Medical Entomology.

One of the most common ways to get bedbugs is when you stay at a hotel that has an infestation, and the insects or a few of their eggs hitch a ride home with you on your bag, Pereira said. Sunny-colored suitcases could help prevent that, although bedbugs might still be able to find dark folds in the fabric in which to stow away, he added.

Before you invest in a new set of luggage, there are probably better ways to keep bedbugs out of your home, said Dawn Gouge, an associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Arizona, who was not involved in the new research.

Gouge uses suitcases with hard exteriors and encourages “absolutely everyone to never bring luggage into their bedroom or onto a couch in the first place, and if they have an outdoor storage area (like a garage) where they can pack and unpack, that’s the way to go.”

Although Gouge checks her hotel rooms for signs of bedbugs — one is reddish stains on sheets — she noted that fewer than 1% of hotels and motels probably have them, and an infestation is sometimes hard to spot.”

Laurie, our children, Zach and Lesley, and I moved to this area from Lantana where I had worked for a large Pest Control company. Instead of looking for another job here in Sebastian, we decided it was time for me to own a business of my own. [Read more…]

Termite cause more damage more annually in the United States than earthquakes, tornadoes and fires combined. Facts about termites:

“DRYWOOD TERMITE FACTS

Drywood termites generally live, feed and nest in undecayed wood which has a very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not require any contact with the soil in order to live. Thus, they can seriously damage movable wooden objects such as furniture. In the United States, drywood termites are found in a narrow strip from Virginia, south to Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico and from Mexico to northern California on the Pacific coast.

A male and female pair work their way into the wood chosen for the nest. The opening through which they enter the wood is sealed with a plug of brown cement-like material about 1/8-inch in diameter. Behind this plug they excavate a chamber where the queen lays the first eggs. The nymphs which hatch from these eggs perform the work of the colony. Soldiers and reproductives develop from these nymphs. There is no distinct worker caste as in subterranean termites.” quoted from epestsupply.com

We recently tented a home in our area in order to clear up an infestation of drywood termites. Fortunately they had not done too much damage.

for all of your pests with more than two legs, call Sandpiper Pest Control.

While we are getting all this rain we at Sandpiper Pest Control recommend turning of your sprinkler system. Doing this will help you avoid problems with fungus and excessive weeds. Look for future blogs and posts to turn your sprinkler system back on. If you ever have questions about how much watering is necessary please feel free to call Sandpiper Pest Control at 772-589-0204.

We are now in flea season. Fleas are wingless insects with mouthparts designed for piercing skin and sucking blood. Fleas are external parasites that live off the blood of mammals and birds.

Sandpiper Pest Control has treatments that are designed specifically for fleas. Yet one of the best ways to limit your exposure to fleas especially for ones with pets is to sign up for Sandpiper Pest Control’s quarterly pest control service for the home and bi-monthly lawn service as well as having your pet treated with a preventative treatment. This will ensure that your home and pets are free of pests such as fleas. If you’d like a free quote for any of Sandpiper Pest Control’s services please call our office at 772-589-0204.

Each year the week of June 26 is declared National Mosquito Control Awareness Week by the American Mosquito Control Association. This year it takes place June 21-27. It’s spearheaded by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA), an international organization of nearly 2,000 public health professionals that has been dedicated to preserving the public’s health and well-being through safe, environmentally sound mosquito control programs since 1935. In light of this week we will be happy to pass on information that can protect you and your family from these pests.

3. DEFEND: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.

If anyone has more tips please share them here. Also Sandpiper Pest Control would be happy to make your outdoor events, such as weddings and family reunions a happier and healthier event. We don’t want you to have PESTS as GUESTS!!! Please give us a call.

I saw a swirling, diving swarm of dragonflies on Indian River Drive in Sebastian. To most people it’s just dragonflies, but as a Sandpiper Pest Control expert, I realized they were feasting on termite swarmers right out of the air. The termite swarm was coming from a tree stump in the front yard.

To anyone that isn’t in the pest control professionial dragonflies are cool, but now you know that they can be an indicator of a larger problem such as termites or ant infestation. It’s always a good idea to just give us a call to check this out for you.